Tuesday, June 28, 2016

BLOCKING YOUR QUILT

Video about blocking your quilts by Joyce R. Becker

I am not sure if this is going to work or not, but I am going to give it a try. I have a new way of blocking my quilts and I thought I would share a video with you about how I do it now. My friend Sonia Grasvik initially showed me how to block my landscape or wall quilts and trust me, it has been a life saver over the years. If you have never blocked your wall or landscape quilts before here's why you should:Blocking your quilts results in quilts that lay flat without wavy or wobbly edges. What you are basically doing is marrying the three layers together so they are one and you do it with heat and water.Previously, I blocked my quilts on the floors which were carpeted. Since we now have hardwood floors, I can no longer do that. Also, my arthritis prevents me from getting on the floor anymore anyway!So:Go to a hardware store and buy a piece of insulation board. I bought one and then had it cut in half at the store.Cover the shiny top of the insulation board with the Teflon fabric you can buy at the fabric store. On top of that, place a vinyl, flannel backed tablecloth, with the vinyl next to the Teflon.Place your quilt face down on that sandwich and pin into insulation board with t-pins.Dip a piece of muslin or a tea towel in water and squish out some water so it is not dripping.Place it on one corner of your quiltHeat your iron to cotton setting, dry heat NO STEAM.Iron the muslin until it is dry, pressing down at the same timeMove muslin and repeat until you have done that do the whole quilt. If possible, place board under a ceiling fan or project a fan on the quilt so it dries quicker.Once the quilt is dry, square it, add your binding, and Voile, You are done!